Mississippi State football defensive back Emmanuel Forbes to play in ReliaQuest Bowl

TAMPA, Fla. — Emmanuel Forbes' status for next season has been known. He declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Dec. 1, meaning Mississippi State football will be without its All-America defensive back moving forward.

However, his status for the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday (11 a.m., ESPN2) against Illinois (8-4) was left uncertain. That was answered Thursday as MSU announced Forbes will take the field for MSU (8-4) one last time as the team looks to honor the death of coach Mike Leach with a bowl win.

Forbes joins key players such as defensive lineman Cameron Young and center LaQuinston Sharp in participating in the bowl despite declaring for the NFL. That comes as Illinois has had key players such as running back Chase Brown and defensive backs Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown opt out.

Forbes intercepted six passes this season to bring his career total in three seasons to 14. Of those interceptions, six have been returned for a touchdown − an FBS record.

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Forbes was a four-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, out of Grenada High School in the Class of 2020. He immediately emerged in new coach Zach Arnett's defense alongside now-Cleveland Browns corner Martin Emerson. Forbes intercepted five passes as a true freshman and returned three for a touchdown.

He intercepted three passes last year before collecting six this season. Forbes also recorded 39 tackles this year.

Illinois coach Bret Bielema is no stranger to quality players at defensive back with Brown earning All-Big Ten first team honors this season. Bielema feels Forbes has many of the characteristics the Illini preach.

"We have a phrase in our program, CTOTTY − catch the ones they throw to you," Bielema said. "(Forbes) is very opportunistic."

How MSU replaces Forbes remains a question, though the Bulldogs have sought after defensive backs in the transfer portal. The Bulldogs signed Miami transfer Khamauri Rogers on Dec. 21. Decamerion Richardson, who was the No. 2 corner beside Forbes this year, is also expected to return.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football's Emmanuel Forbes to play in ReliaQuest Bowl